Device for setting-up collapsible cellular cartons



June 5, 1956 H. E. DAILEY DEVICE FOR SETTING- UP COLLAPSIBLE CELLULAR CARTONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 25, 1953 w Hr Wiii l I.

nl w W 59 Fla. 2

INVENTOR. HOWARD E. DA/LEY HIS ATTORNEY H. E. DAILEY June 5. 1956 DEVICE FOR SETTING-UP COLLAPSIBLE CELLULAR CARTONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Filed June 23, 1953 III INVENTOR. HOWARD E. DA/LE Y HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent 9 DEVICE FOR SETTING-UP COLLAPSIBLE CELLULAR CARTONST Howard E. Dailey, Newark, N. Y., assignor to Bloomer gros. Company, Newark, N. Y., a corporation of New ork Application June 23, 1953, Serial No. 363,486

3 Claims. (Cl. 9337) This invention relates to devices forsetting up collapsible, cellular cartons, such as egg cartons having two rows of six cells each and, more particularly, to cartons having front, bottom, and rear walls, an upwardly folded, central, longitudinal partition for separating the rows of'cells, and a series of transversely extending partitions hinged'to the tops of the front and rear walls, and adapted to be swung to vertical position to separate the cells of each row, the longitudinal partition having a'series of hooks adapted to engage the upper edges of certain ones of the transverse partitions for securely locking the same in erected position. These cartons are siinilar to the variety disclosed in the copending. application of William H. Inman, Serial No. 314,603, now Patent .No. 2,718,347, issued September 20, 1955, except that the longitudinal partition is provided with hooks adjacent the ends thereof for engaging, among others, the respective end transverse partitions.

One object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an improved device for setting up such cartons, having amore simple, practical, and efficient type of construction.

A further object is to provide a device having theabove advantages which is capable of being readily andeconomically manufactured and assembled.

To these and other ends the invention. resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novelfeatures being pointedout in the claims at the'end of the'specifi'cation.

I n'the. drawings Fig; 1 is a side. elevation of a device embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is atop plan view of thesame;

Fig: 3'is a sectional elevation. along" the line.3'-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an .erected cartonpofithe variety adapted'to be set-up by theidevice'shown'in Fig; 1';

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, sectional elevation'showin'g the carton of Fig. 4 asinitially applied to the erecting device with the transverse partitions in'partially' erected position, and

Fig. 6is a similar view showing'thepartitions in completely erected position;

The invention is embodied, in'the' present instance, by way of illustration, in a' device for completing the setting up of eggcartons of the variety commonly made of a one piece'blank of material, cut, scored'and folded to form two rows of six cells each; Such acarton is'shown in Fig. 4', comprisinga front wall 21, a rear wall 23, acover2'5having-a 'locking flap '27, and a central, longitudinallyextend= ing'partition 29 made by portions'folded up between-boo tom wall sections 31 and 33'. A top wall is connected with the tops 'of'the'front and'rear'walls and is'cut and scored to form a series of transverse partitions, hinged to swing from apartially erectedhorizontal position to'a'vertical position, shown in Figs. 4 and 6, into cut outs or notches 34-formed'in the longitudinalpartition, to separate the'cells of'each' row. The. transverse partitionstare preferably sevenzinrnumberand are divi'dedrintortwo. seriesor; groups;

swinging inzopposite directions toerectedmosition. One

series shown generally at 35', includes three partitions .37, 39 and 41, having their bottoms swinging in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, about their hinged connections with the tops of the front and rear walls. Another series, indicated generally at 43, comprises four partitions 45, 47, 49 and 51, having their bottoms swinging in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in'Figs. 4 and 6, about their connections with the front and rear walls. The partitions are formed with score lines 53 about whichtheir opposite halves are adapted to be folded upwardly as the bottom sections are folded inwardly to bring the several parts including the front and rearwalls, into fiat, collapsed condition, as well understood in the art.

The longitudinal partition 29 is preferably formed with a. series of hooks 55 which'are constructed so' as to engage certain ones'of the transversepartitions and securely hold the parts' in erected condition; In the'present instance, partition 29'isforrned with two books adjacent each end thereof for engaging transverse partitions 37 and 39 at the left end of the carton, as viewed in Fig. 4, and partitions 45 -and 47 adjacent the rightend of the carton.

In setting up' a carton, the front and rear walls are pulled apart, the bottom wall sections 31 and 33 depressed, and the transverse'pa-rtitions flattened into a substantially horizontal'plane. These'setting up manipulationsare readily accomplished by hand orby the erecting machine disclosed in the-copending application of Edwin H. F. Mobley, Serial No. 246,846, now PatentNo.'2,699 ,-7ll', issued January 18, 1955, after which it is necessary to swing the transverse partitions from horizontal to vertical position in which their 'slottedbottom portions frictionally engage the sides of the -n0tchesinthe longitudinal partition, to retain the transverse'partit'i ons in erected position.

The setting'up device of the-present invention preferably comprises aafixed base member 57' (Fig. 5) and a second member orpart 59'movable relative theretofor swinging the transverse partitions to .fully erected position, as hereafterdescrib'ed. Stationary base-5'7, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, isfastened by screws-61 to a rectangular plate 63 which'is formed with zi -longitudinally extending groove or track 65 (-Fig. 5). Plate 63-is fastenedby bolts 67'to a suitable sub base 69 which may be of wood or metal, or if the'present erectingd'evice is substituted for that shown in the=-said"copending application of Edwin H; F. Mobley, plate63 would be bolted 'directly to flat bar 141.

Movable part 5.9 is secured by screws-71 to an elongated bar 73 which is adapted to slide in track 65 and by means of which part 59 is'rnoved from its position shown in Fig; 5 away from stationary base- 57 to its position shown in Fig. 6. Bar 73 is shown-with a; roller 75'mounted-ontherightend thereof, thereby adapting the present device for use on' the-erecting machine disclosed in the above copending Mobley application, where roller 75 would be causedto strike: against a fixed cam 153, force ing bar'73' to the left to complete the erection of the carton:- A spring77, which is secured at opposite ends thereof to-sub-base 69- and movable part 59, tends to pull bar 7.3"to the right and'yieldably hold part 59-in abutting'relationship with base 57, as shown in Fig. 5L Of course, bar 73 maybe moved by handor by'a solenoid, or by other suitable means.

Base 57 and'part 5 9 are preferably provided with a series of longitudinally spaced, upwardly projecting blades, shown generally at 79' and 81, respectively, which areadapted' -to engage the transverse cell partitions of thepartially distended carton, as shown in Fig. 5. The blades:preferably'comprise tW-o'rows of inverted, substantially U-shaped members spaced apart adjacent the center-of:thebasesections, as at 83. (Fig. 3.), to. accom= modatethev longitudinal partition 29 0f the carton. Blades 79.-compriseithreewpairs. ofmembersSS, 87 and 89, preferab'ly of'zwire or rod, which-.arepositionedsubstantially as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Members 85 which are nearest the free end of base 57, are preferably at substantially right angles to members 87 and 89, as shown in Fig. 2, for insuring full and complete erection of end partition 37. Blades 81 preferably comprise four pairs of members 91, 93, 95 and 97, which are positioned substantially as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Members 91 which are nearest the free end of movable part 59, are preferably at right angles to the remaining pair of blades on part 59, as shown in Fig. 1, for insuring full and complete erection of the transverse end partition 45.

The above construction is substantially similar to that disclosed in the copending Mobley application referred to above, but I have found it desirable to make additional provision for swinging the two transverse partitions adjacent each end of the carton under the respective hooks 55 of the longitudinal partition. If transverse partitions 37, 39, 45 and 47 are not moved between hooks 55 and the bottom wall of the carton before base part 59 is moved away from stationary base 57, said partitions may not be brought into proper position between said hooks and the bottom walls of the carton. In order to insure full advantage of the present type of carton construction, I preferably provide a series of resilient, inverted, substantially U-shaped fingers 99 and 101, and 103 and 105 which extend transversely of base 57 and movable part 59, respectively, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fingers 99 and 103 which are nearest the free ends of base 57 and part 59 are positioned substantially in alignment with blades 85 and 91, respectively, and substantially bridge the gap between opposite ones of members 85 and 91, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fingers 99 and 103 are lower than blades 79 and 81, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and are adapted to engage the transverse partitions adjacent the mid-portion thereof, as shown in Fig. 5. Fingers 101 and 105 are slightly lower than fingers 99 and 103, and are positioned adjacent blade members 87 and 93, respectively, but are spaced somewhat nearer the free end of base 57 and movable part 59, respectively, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fingers 101 and 105 substantially bridge the gap between opposite blade members 87 and 93, respectively. Fingers 99, 101, 103 and 105 are preferably of stilf resilient wire and are sufficiently low that when the carton is inverted on the erecting device, as in Fig. 5, the fingers will move into the large cut-outs or notches 34 of the longitudinal partition and will swing the respective transverse partitions between hooks 55 and the bottom wall of the carton.

In operation, therefore, the partially distended carton is inverted and placed on the erecting device, as in Fig. 5. Blades 79 and 81 engage the respective transverse partitions adjacent the bottom portions thereof and swing the same to partially erected position, as shown in Fig. 5. Fingers 99 and 103 extend upwardly into the notches adjacent the respective ends of the longitudinal partition and swing transverse partitions 37 and 45 into their proper positions between the respective end hooks 55 of the longitudinal partition and the bottom wall of the carton. The inner set of fingers 101 and 105 extend upwardly into the next adjacent notches in the longitudinal partition, engage transverse partitions 39 and 47, and swing the same between the respective books 55 and the bottom wall of the carton. Thereafter, part 59 is moved away from base member 57, as shown in Fig. 6, which action first swings the left hand series of partitions 43, as viewed in Figs. 5 and 6, in a counter-clockwise direction to their fully erected position, at which point their pivotal movement is arrested by engagement with shouldcrs 107 in notches 34 formed to accommodate them in the longitudinal partition. As the left hand series of partitions cannot move relative to the carton, further movement of rod 73 and part 59 to the left carries the entire carton to the left, bringing the right hand series of partitions 35 against stationary blades 79, thus, similarly swinging these partitions to their erected position against the stop shoulders 109 (Fig. 5) on the longitudinal partition, as shown in Fig. 6. This shifting or moving of the carton relative to the fixed base may be clearly seen by a comparison of Figs. 5 and 6. During the above shifting movement, fingers 99, 101, 103 and 105 bear against the respective transverse partitions and serve to insure their movement to completely erected position between hooks 55 and the bottom wall of the carton, as shown in Fig. 6.

The above fingers are preferably made ofwire and are somewhat resilient so that if part 59 is moved further away from stationary base 57 than is required to swing the transverse partitions to fully erected position, the fingers will yield and prevent this excessive movement of part 57 from tearing and mutilating the carton.

It is evident from the above description that with a carton of the character described, and such as shown for example in Fig. 4, after the carton has been distended and partially set up to bring its transverse partitions to horizontal position, the erecting process may be rapidly and efficiently completed by either bringing the erecting device into engagement with the carton, as in the manner shown in the above copending Mobley application, or by inverting the carton and pressing the same downwardly over the upstanding blades of the erecting device. In either instance, the initial engagement between the erecting device and the carton serves to swing the partitions to partially erected position while fingers 99, 101, 103 and 105 swing certain of the partitions between the respective hook 55 and the bottom wall of the carton. Thereafter, base part 59 is moved away from stationary base 57, by any suitable means, to move all of the partitions concomitantly to fully vertical position and complete the setting up of the carton. The above fingers cooperate with the adjacent blades for holding the respective transverse partitions beneath the corresponding hooks 55 during the erection step.

It is apparent that the invention provides a device which is simple, practical and inexpensive in construction and capable of greatly facilitating and expediting the setting up of such cartons where large numbers of them are required as in the current practice of food distributing concerns of packaging eggs in such retail cartons.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects and while it has been herein disclosed by reference to the details of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is intended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it is contemplated that various modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for setting up collapsible cellular cartons of the type having front, bottom, and rear walls, a central longitudinalv partition and two series of transverse partitions hingedly connected to the tops of said front and rear walls and adapted to be swung in opposite directions, respectively, from horizontal to erected vertical position, said longitudinal partition having hooks formed therein for engagement with certain ones of said transverse partitions for holding the same in erected position, said device comprising a base having thereon a group of two or more upwardly projecting, spaced blades adapted to engage the partitions of one of said series, aid base having one or more upwardly projecting, spaced, resilient fingers extending transversely thereof, a part movable on said base and having thereon a group of two or more upwardly projecting, spaced blades adapted to engage the partitions of the other of said series, said part having one or more upwardly projecting, spaced, resilient fingers extending transversely thereof, said blades being adapted to have an inverted, partially erected carton pressed thereagainst and to engage and partially erect said transverse partitions, and means for moving said part on said base to aifect relative movement of said series of partitions in opposite directions and complete the erection of said partitions, said fingers being lower than said blades and being positioned to engage certain ones of the transverse partitions for guiding the same between said hooks and the bottom wall of the carton during erection thereof to insure proper positioning of said partitions when the carton is fully erected.

2. A device for setting up collapsible cellular cartons of the type having front, bottom and rear Walls, a central longitudinal partition and two series of transverse partitions hingedly connected to the tops of said front and rear walls and adapted to be swung in opposite directions, respectively, from horizontal to erected vertical position, said longitudinal partition having hooks formed therein for engagement with certain ones of said transverse partitions for holding the same in erected position, said device comprising a base having thereon a group of two or more upwardly projecting, spaced blades adapted to engage the partitions of one of said series, said base having one or more upwardly projecting, spaced resilient fingers extending transversely thereof, one of said fingers being substantially in alignment with the adjacent blade, another one of said fingers being spaced from the respective adjacent blade outwardly toward the free end of said base, a part movable on said base and having thereon a group of two or more upwardly projecting, spaced blades adapted to engage the partitions of the other of said series, said part having one or more upwardly projecting, spaced, resilient fingers extending transversely thereon, one of said fingers being substantially in alignment with the adjacent blade, another one of said fingers being spaced from the respective adjacent blade outwardly toward the free end of said part, said blades being adapted to have an inverted, partially erected carton pressed thereagainst and to engage and partially erect said transverse partition, and means for moving said part on said base to afiect relative movement of said series of partition in opposite directions and complete the erection of said partitions, said fingers being lower than said blades and being positioned to engage certain ones of the transverse partitions for guiding the same between said hooks and the bottom wall of the carton during erection thereof to insure proper positioning of said partitions when the carton is fully erected.

3. A device for setting up collapsible cellular cartons of the type having front, bottom, and rear walls, a central longitudinal partition and two series of transverse partitions hingedly connected to the tops of said front and rear Walls and adapted to be swung in opposite directions, respectively, from horizontal to erected vertical position, said longitudinal partition having hooks formed therein for engagement with certain ones of said transverse partitions for holding the same in erected position, said device comprising a base having thereon a group of two or more upwardly projecting, spaced blades adapted to engage the partitions of one of said series, said base having two upwardly projecting fingers extending transversely thereof adjacent the two blades nearest the free end thereof, the finger nearest the free end of the base being substantially in alignment with the adjacent blade, the other of said fingers being spaced from the respective adjacent blade outwardly toward the free end of said base, a part movable on said base and having thereon a group of two or more upwardly projecting, spaced blades, adapted to engage the partitions of the other of said series, said part having two upwardly projecting, spaced fingers extending transversely thereon adjacent the two blades nearest the free end thereof, the finger nearest the free end of the base being substantially in alignment with the adjacent blade, the other of said fingers being spaced from the respective adjacent blade outwardly toward the free end of said part, said blades being adapted to have an inverted, partially erected carton pressed thereagainst and to engage and partially erect said transverse partitions, said fingers being lower than said blades and being positioned to engage certain ones of the transverse partitions adjacent the center thereof for moving the same to partially erected position between said hooks and the bottom Wall of the carton a said carton is pressed against said groups of blades to insure proper positioning of said transverse partitions when the carton is fully erected, and means for moving said part on said base to atfect relative movement of said series of partitions in opposite directions and complete the erection of said partitions,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,586,551 Mobley Feb. 19, 1952 

